Facebook strikes again, blocking Msgr. Charles Pope

http://www.patheos.com ^ | August 19, 2015 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NKP_Vet]

Last night, I was one of many who received the following email from Msgr. Charles Pope, well-known blogger and writer in the Archdiocese of Washington:

Just a brief note to inform you that I have been blocked from Facebook. They claim that Msgr. Charles Pope is not my real name and are requiring me to submit government ID proving that Msgr. Charles Pope is my true identity. As of now, I have no intention of doing this since I consider it an unreasonable demand by them. They further indicate that even if I supply the IDs from at least two sources, that they reserve the right not to reactivate my account if the name I have used does not meet their preferences.

They explain the reason for their action as:

We ask everyone on Facebook to use the name they go by in everyday life so friends know who they’re connecting with But of course this IS the name that I go by “in everyday life.” Further, I have had a Facebook account under the name of “Msgr. Charles Pope” for over 6 years now. This is my name, this is who I am. I have 5,000 friends on Facebook who know me by this.

Facebook of course is a private company and they can do whatever they want and treat their clients and users in whatever foul ways they wish. But my current stance on this matter is to resist their demand and seek to share my dissatisfaction.

Facebook was once an open forum to discuss and share. It has become increasingly autocratic and ideological. It may be time for many of us to encourage them to reform or to simply leave Facebook.

I respect that some of you may differ with my assessment of things, but I did want to explain my sudden absence from Facebook and I request your help in spread this information with others you think might wonder as to my disappearance from that forum.

My Twitter Feed is @MsgrPope

We’ve seen this sort of thing before. I wrote about it in February, when Facebook blocked me.

A mutual friend this morning asked me what we could do about it. Not much, I’m afraid. This issue has gotten considerable attention since it first surfaced several months ago, and various public complaints haven’t done much good. It’s Facebook’s candy store; they can run it however they wish. But it strikes me as bad business, and bad policy—engendering a lot of ill will and hostility, not to mention a fair amount of negative press.

Somehow, though, I don’t think the gurus running FB really care.

[NKP_Vet]

Monsignor Charles Pope has been on Facebook for years. They have never told him to drop his title. The Monsignor also talks about the evils of homosexual "marriage" and takes orthodox Catholic teachings to heart. I think that's the real reason he's been put on ice by leftist Facebook.

[Salvation]

Monsignor Pope Ping — of interest

I don’t have a facebook account so can’t cancel it.

[Resolute Conservative]

If all those people who use the excuse “I only use Farcebook to keep tabs on family and friends” would stop using it and all other “leftist conveniences” things would fix themselves.

[Old Sarge]

I recall an attempt on a conservative alternate to FB crashed and burned.

All that’s left is FR.

[Robert DeLong]

Of course it is. F facebook.

[fatnotlazy]

I said in another thread on this subject that I received the same treatment from Facebook. Facebook may not necessarily do this unilaterally. Someone may have reported the account as being fake and Facebook is following up.

I was only using Facebook for a political discussion. I suspect someone didn't like my opinions and reported me. My guess is that Msgr. Pope is getting some anti-Christian backlash.

[trisham]

I don’t have one either.

[miss marmelstein]

Easy to join up. Then write ‘em a note and cancel out. They don’t let you go easily, though.

[SubMareener]

Facebook is really Hotel California. You can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave!

[JimRed]

It may be time for many of us to encourage them to reform or to simply leave Facebook.

Can't leave; never started!

[TexasGunLover]

Easy to join up. Then write ‘em a note and cancel out. They don’t let you go easily, though.

Deactivate account from your Settings takes less than 10 seconds.

[miss marmelstein]

“deactivate”does not show up within any of my settings. I’m not the only one, either.

[TexasGunLover]

“deactivate”does not show up within any of my settings. I’m not the only one, either.

You are mistaken. It shows up in 100% of all accounts. https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=security

[NKP_Vet]

If you try to delete you account it’s impossible. Everything you have ever posted, every word, every picture, remains forever. If you think it’s “deleted”, just sign back in and there it is, like you never left.

Mark Zuckerberg gave the US government exactly what they wanted. Keeping tabs on anyone and everyone that makes the mistake of joining FB thinking it’s just a social media site. It’s about control. Zuckerberg is also one of the biggest liberals in the world, donating untold millions to leftist causes around the world.

[TexasGunLover]

If you try to delete you account it’s impossible. Everything you have ever posted, every word, every picture, remains forever. If you think it’s “deleted”, just sign back in and there it is, like you never left.

That's correct, just as you agreed to when you created the account.

[miss marmelstein]

You work for FB?

[A CA Guy]

This Pope is something else. IMO that isn’t a something else either.
He’s IMO like the anti-John Paul 2.

[TexasGunLover]

You work for FB?

No.

[Pajamajan]

Somebody needs to come up with an alternative to FB-Someplace where everyone is allowed to express themselves freely-Someplace that isn’t run by a Fascist helping the government spy on, and opress the people.

[miss marmelstein]

Well, the government is now aware of my search for the perfect brownie.